| Padded Bicycle Shorts | | | | down and are more comfortable to wear. Some |
| If you've just taken up cycling hopefully you're | | | | of the most popular brands are Castelli, Nalini, |
| enjoying it, however you may find that you're | | | | Pearl Izumi, Vermarc, these brands are all used by |
| suffering discomfort from the time on the saddle. | | | | professional teams. If you purchase any of these |
| Numbness or chafing whilst riding is not | | | | brands they are likely to be slightly more |
| uncommon. A vital component for your cycling is | | | | expensive than a shops own brand but the |
| a good pair of padded bicycle shorts, they may | | | | padding is generally very good quality, and |
| not completely alleviate the issues but will certainly | | | | comfortable to wear. |
| help especially with numbness. If you are beginning | | | | Another consideration is the appearance of the |
| to do high mileage then it may also be worth | | | | padded bicycle shorts that you purchase, some |
| buying and using chamois cream. This goes on the | | | | people like to have their favourite cycling teams |
| padding of your bicycle shorts and will help to | | | | latest colours, some may prefer some more plain |
| guard against saddles sores. | | | | black shorts. At the end of the day the most |
| It's possible that some of your discomfort is being | | | | important thing is that you feel comfortable in |
| caused by your saddle, you can go out and buy a | | | | them, you really don't want to be having to sneak |
| new saddle but it's definitely worth buying some | | | | out of the house for a ride at dusk so your |
| padded cycling shorts first as they will be cheaper | | | | neighbours don't see you! |
| and more likely to cure the problem. | | | | Finally if you really don't feel comfortable wearing |
| There are two main types of bicycle shorts | | | | cycling shorts then it is possible to buy padded |
| available, bib and non bib. I would personally | | | | underwear. This will enable you to wear normal |
| recommend bib shorts (which have straps up | | | | shorts on your bike with the same effect as |
| over the shoulders) as I find these don't slide | | | | padded shorts. |